The OECD Inventory of Export Restrictions on Staple Crops reports a significant fall (≈50%) in global export restrictions on wheat, rice, maize, and soybeans between August 2024 and June 2025. Measures like export quotas, taxes, and minimum export prices were most common, with rice being the crop most frequently affected. Countries including India, Russia, Argentina, and Ukraine accounted for a large share of such restrictions, though many recently announced restrictions have been removed or eased. Some remaining measures (especially licensing or minimum export price restrictions) still pose uncertainty due to absence of clear end dates.
For India, these trends matter because export restrictions elsewhere can influence global staple grain prices, supply chains, and food security. As a major exporter of rice and other staples, India’s policy decisions (both for export restrictions and for keeping supply chains open) will affect domestic prices, farmer incomes, and trade relations. Monitoring restrictions globally helps India anticipate inflationary pressures and avoid negative spillovers in food markets.
Why Export Restrictions Are Imposed:
Governments often restrict exports of staple crops to protect domestic food security, stabilize consumer prices, preserve buffer stocks, or respond to political/economic shocks. While these measures may reduce short-term inflation risks, they can also distort global markets, reduce farmer incomes, and strain trade relations.
Follow the full report here: OECD Inventory of Export Restrictions on Staple Crops
